The GupTa Lab
The Team:
Research in our lab ranges from developing novel mass spectrometric method development to understanding mechanistic nuances of cell signaling. Accordingly, we have an extremely diverse group of scientists who bring orthogonal expertise to the lab. Together, we address the questions at hand in a collaborative manner.
Kallol Gupta
Associate Professor of Cell Biology
Nanobiology Institute
PhD: Indian Institute of Science (2013)
Fellow of the 1851 Royal Commission, Oxford University (2013)
Initially trained as a chemist, I was introduced to the world of biology through the aquatic route, where my goal was to uncover the molecular diversity present in the venoms of marine cone snails and understand how it impairs the functions of key ion channels and transporters. This introduced and made me fascinated about the world of membrane proteins.
I subsequently moved to the University of Oxford as a Fellow of the 1851 Royal Commission. Here, my research led to a transformative advancement that enabled top-down mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of membrane protein-lipid complexes. Application of this approach yielded atomistic understanding of how lipids act as a key signaling molecule to regulate structural and functional organization of membrane proteins.
In the Fall of 2018, I crossed the pond to start my own lab in Yale. Combining native mass spectrometry with an array of orthogonal experimental and computational approaches, our lab is focused on developing platforms that enable quantitative analysis of macromolecular protein complexes directly from the cellular environment. Applying this, the lab aims to understand how spatiotemporal organization of membrane protein interactomes regulate cellular physiology.
When I am not in the lab, you shall me find me in some hiking trail.
Gerard Walker
Ph.D. Student
gerard.walker@yale.edu
I studied biology and biochemistry at Villanova University, and conducted a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the NIH. Here, I studied protein and membrane trafficking events at the cellular level. I now want to explore cellular cargo transport in refined, granular detail. Specifically, I am using innovative new technologies to decipher the intra-membrane organization of a troublesome oncogenic protein, hoping to decipher how the oily environment of the plasma membrane alters its behavior and suite of interaction partners. When I'm not in the lab, I can be found trail running and fishing.
Daniele Rollo
Postdoctoral Researcher
daniele.rollo@yale.edu
I studied Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Padova (BS and MS) before moving to the United States to earn my Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Connecticut. During my time there, I specialized in developing mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis methods for the characterization and sequencing of large, heavily modified RNAs. In the Gupta lab, I am applying my instrumental expertise to the development of native mass spectrometry methods for investigating membrane protein complexes and their interactions in cellular membranes. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, thrift shopping, cooking, reading fantasy, and learning about history.
Zi Lin
Research Assistant
zihao.lin@yale.edu
I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended Yale College, where I majored in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. After graduating in 2022, I joined the Ferguson Lab at Yale School of Medicine to study a rare genetic mutation in the neuronal protein JIP3 and how it alters protein function and contributes to disease. In the Gupta Lab, I am characterizing the lysosomal surface proteome and lipidome and investigating how membrane composition changes in response to different perturbations. My project aims to identify molecular signatures of lysosomal damage and understand how cells respond. Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring local coffee shops, painting, and walking around East Rock.
Snehasish Ghosh
Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD: IISER, Kolkata(2021)
snehasish.ghosh@yale.edu
I am a trained chemist and have a PhD degree from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India. In my PhD, I developed peptide-based hydrogel for ceasing emergency bleeding. In the Gupta Lab, my aim is to synthesize a new molecule that can scoop out a target membrane protein from the endogenous lipid bilayer, with precise spatial resolution and without losing its associated lipid molecules. In my free time, I play online chess or read books.
Samantha Shepherd
Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD: University of Oregon(2023)
samantha.shepherd@yale.edu
I was trained as a physical chemist at Brandeis University (BS) where I performed theoretical research on zebrafish skin patterning and University of Oregon (PhD) where I studied native mass spectrometry method development, modeling, and standardization. In the Gupta lab, I am continuing my work on native mass spectrometry method development with a focus on applying physical chemistry knowledge to native mass spectrometry of membrane proteins to determine organization and behavior of membrane proteins.In my time outside of the lab you can find me sewing/knitting/crocheting/painting, on a (slightly too long) hike, squashing spotted lanternflies, or seeking out vegetables
Smruti Ranjan Nayak
Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD: Indian Institute of Science(2026)
smruti.nayak@yale.edu
I am a biophysicist and biochemist with a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. During my doctoral research, I investigated the biophysics and biochemistry of the GABA transporter 1 (GAT1) and determined its cryo-EM structure. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Gupta and Rothman laboratories. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Gupta and Rothman laboratories. In the Gupta Lab, I combine my expertise in biochemistry, cryo-EM and bioinformatics including molecular-dynamics simulations and the lab’s established native mass spectrometry (nMS) platform to study membrane-protein complexes. My research aims to connect molecular-level information from nMS with high-resolution structural insights from cryo-EM. I am particularly interested in applying these complementary approaches to understand SNARE-mediated vesicle fusion in neurons. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing football, volleyball, pickleball, table tennis, and snooker, as well as board games. I also enjoy art and crafts, and cooking.
My mantra: "Alpha fold structures look great and are a huge scientific leap; But I need complexes and ligand densities to keep. And miles to go before I sleep"
Chiara Mancinelli
Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD: Weill Cornell Medicine(2025)
chiara.mancinelli@yale.edu
Originally trained as a chemist, I earned my B.S. in chemistry with a biology concentration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2019, where I researched the fabrication and characterization of nanomaterials for industrial and biomedical applications in the Linhardt Lab’s nanobiotechnology group. I then pursued my Ph.D. at Weill Cornell Medicine in the Eliezer Lab, where I investigated intrinsically disordered proteins implicated in neurodegeneration using biophysical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and graduated in May 2025. Currently, as a joint postdoctoral associate in the Gupta and Rothman labs, I’m continuing my passion for applying instruments grounded in chemistry and physics to biological questions by investigating synaptic vesicle exocytosis through mass spectrometry. Outside the lab, you can find me at concerts, spending time with friends, or crocheting with my cat!
Zidan Wang
Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD: Tsinghua University (2025)
zidan.wang@yale.edu
I was trained as an analytical chemist during my PhD at Tsinghua University, where my research focused on the detailed structural profiling of low-abundance signaling lipids using isomer-resolving mass spectrometry. My work emphasized developing new sample preparation methods for glycosphingolipids and phosphoinositides.
As a postdoctoral researcher in the Gupta Lab, I’m investigating the lipids residing within the proximity of membrane proteins. I’m fascinated by how lipid molecular structures contribute to their essential roles in supporting membrane protein function, and by the biological significance embedded within the vast “redundant diversity” of thousands of lipid species in mammalian cells. I believe that detailed structural analysis of lipid organization across spatial and temporal scales will uncover new biological insights.
When I’m not in the lab, you’ll likely find me exploring New Haven, admiring its beautiful historic architecture
LAB ALUMNI
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Dr Aniruddha Panda
Postdoctoral Researcher (2019-2025)
PhD: NCBS, India (2019)
Current position: Assistant Professor, TIFR, India
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Dr Caroline Brown
Graduate Student (2020-2025)
Current position: Senior Scientist, Johnson & Johnson
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Dr Wonhyeuk Jung
Postdoctoral Researcher (2021-2023)
PhD: UCLA (2020)
Current position: Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca
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Talat Hussein
Postbaccalaureate Researcher (2022-2024)
Bsc: Yale University(2022)
Current position: Harvard Medical School, MD Student
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Keerthana Chari
Summer School Student
Current position: Cambridge University, M.Sc
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Justin Knapp
Postbaccalaureate Researcher (2020-2022)
BSc: Yale University(2019)
Current position: Mayo Clinic, MD Student
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Dr Rachel McAllister
Graduate Student (2021-2026)
Current position: Senior Scientist, Agilent Technologies
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Dr Fabian Giska
Postdoctoral Researcher (2018-2021)
PhD: Institute of Biochemistry and BiophysicsWarshaw (2015)
Current position: Senior Scientist, Zymotronix
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Souvik Roy
Postbaccalaureate Researcher (2025-2026)
MSc: Indian Institute of Science (2025)
Current position: Yale University, Graduate Student
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Anushka Halder